InheritedData: Platform Overview & Best Practices

InheritedData: Platform Overview & Best Practices

What Makes InheritedData Unique

InheritedData stands apart from every other real estate data source through its sourcing mechanism. While virtually all other real estate data is derived from public court records — making it freely accessible and widely available — InheritedData is triggered by a death event, surfacing qualified leads within 24 to 48 hours of that occurrence.

This distinction is not minor. It is the foundation of a competitive advantage that no other platform in the market currently offers.

Understanding the Timeline Advantage

To appreciate InheritedData's value, it helps to compare it against its closest conceptual neighbor: Probate data.

When an attorney files for probate and the case enters the public court system, the contact information for beneficiaries becomes accessible to anyone. At that point, those families are already being contacted by hundreds of investors, brokers, and agents simultaneously. Worse, by the time probate is filed, the relatives have typically already formed an exit strategy — the window to influence the outcome has closed.

InheritedData operates 3 to 9 months before probate is filed.

This means you are reaching families at the beginning of their decision-making process — before they've committed to any path, before they've spoken with competitors, and before the noise begins. That is an asymmetric advantage that directly translates into deal flow.

The Three List Formats

  1. Basic List - Best for Direct Mail
  2. Stacked List - Upload to a CRM
  3. PhoneBurner  - Stacked and Best for Power-Dialers.
InheritedData provides your leads in three distinct formats, each designed for a specific workflow:

Basic List — Formatted for direct mail campaigns. Ideal for letters and postcards targeting motivated sellers at scale.

Stacked List — Structured for CRM upload. Use this when you need to organize, segment, and track leads within your existing pipeline management system.

PhoneBurner — A stacked format optimized for power-dialers. This is the highest-velocity option for outbound calling operations.

For a full walkthrough of which format fits your operation, refer to the 3 Lists Video.

Applications & Tools

A quality data source is only as effective as the system surrounding it. Beyond InheritedData itself, your business requires tools that enable:
  1. Lead organization and segmentation
  2. Notes and communication logging
  3. Task management and follow-up scheduling
  4. Pipeline tracking across all stages
Investing in the right CRM or lead management system is not optional — it is the operational backbone that turns data into closed transactions.

The Right Mindset

How you approach these conversations matters as much as what you say. It is important to remember that you are not a grief counselor — you are a real estate professional with resources and solutions. You do not know these individuals personally, and unsolicited expressions of sympathy ("Sorry for your loss" or "I know this is a hard time") can feel hollow or even inappropriate to someone who doesn't know you.

The most effective mindset is that of a problem solver and resource provider — someone who specializes in helping families navigate the practical complexities of inherited properties. Boots on the ground. Connected. Capable. That positioning builds credibility faster than any scripted condolence ever will.

Approach: Information Gathering Meets Solution Delivery

Your first objective in any outreach is to identify who actually inherited the property. Each InheritedData record includes up to five associated relatives — not all of them are the decision-maker. Asking the right questions early saves significant time and ensures your energy is directed at the right person.

As you gather information, position yourself as a facilitator: someone who understands the legal, logistical, and financial layers of an inherited home, and who has the network to address each one. This combination of fact-finding and solution-offering builds trust, rapport, and a relationship that will outlast the initial conversation — whether they are ready to act now or months down the road.

The Goal: Build the Biggest Pipeline of Maybes

The metric that matters most is not the number of immediate yeses — it is the size of your pipeline of Maybes.

A Maybe is a lead who has not yet made a decision. They are open, they are aware of you, and they are somewhere on a timeline that will eventually lead to a transaction. Your job is to collect as many Maybes as possible, stay in consistent contact, and be the person they call when the timing is right.

The professional with the largest pipeline of Maybes wins. This is not a motivational statement — it is an operational truth backed by the math of conversion rates over time.

For a full walkthrough of the InheritedData System & Process, refer to the InheritedData System & Process.

Opportunities

In real estate, you’re leaving money on the table if you only chase clear “yes” responses. The real edge comes from recognizing that most deals live in the gray area—not in certainty, but in hesitation.

A seller who doesn’t say “no, never” is still in play. That hesitation often signals uncertainty, timing issues, lack of trust, or simply that they haven’t been guided properly yet. Strong operators don’t wait for perfect signals—they interpret tone, situation, and motivation to uncover hidden opportunities.

Every “maybe” is a conversation that hasn’t been fully developed. It’s your job to ask better questions, uncover the real pain points, and position a solution that makes sense for their situation. Often, sellers don’t say “yes” because they don’t yet see the path forward—not because they aren’t interested.

Top producers treat follow-up as where deals are actually made. They build systems to revisit conversations, provide value over time, and stay top of mind until the timing aligns. The difference between an average pipeline and a high-performing one is how well you nurture the “not yet.”

If they didn’t say no never, the deal isn’t dead—it’s just undeveloped.

Consistency: The Compounding Factor

Every high-performance discipline — medicine, athletics, investing — rewards consistent effort over time. Real estate is no different. The professionals who build reliable, repeatable businesses do so not through single breakthrough moments, but through disciplined, sustained activity.

Working InheritedData is the same. The leads you nurture today become the closings of the future. Consistency compounds — and in this business, it compounds into a predictable, growing pipeline.

Handling Common Objections and Edge Cases

Not every contact will be a clean conversation. Be prepared for the following scenarios and approach each with professionalism:

"I don't know that address" — Do not be fooled by this one. Remember, you are calling relatives that just inherited a home, they most likely do not know that address off the top of their head. Once again, asking questions about the Deceased Name should help their memory. 

"They're not dead" — The InheritedData Process produces a very accurate list of deceased individuals. If the claim is that they are not dead, the best approach is the verify the deceased age or the date of birth, this will clear up any confusion. 

"The bank took it" — Rarely has the bank already taken the home. The story is that the Relatives have seen the Bank Letters threatening. However, the process can take some time, and 99 of 100 times the bank has not taken the property. The best response is would you accept an offer and I will take care of the bank. These are the perfect storm for a subject-to-existing mortgages deal. 

No equity / Reverse mortgage — These situations require a tailored approach. Position yourself as a resource who can help them understand their options, even if a traditional transaction isn't on the table.

In every case, your goal is to insert yourself as a trusted resource, offer relevant information, and maintain the relationship. Today's dead end can become tomorrow's referral or future deal.

Follow Ups

The bread and butter of your Real Estate Business. 

To walkthrough Follow Ups best practices, refer to Follow Up After Initial Contact.

Best Practices

  1. Cold-Call - Pipeline - Follow up
  2. Direct Mail - Letter and Postcards

Summary: The InheritedData Competitive Advantage

Factor
InheritedData
Probate Data
Source
Death Records
Court Fillings
Speed to Market
24-48 Hours After Death
Weeks to Months After Filing
Timeline Position
3-9 Months Before Probate
At or After Probate Filing
Competition Level
Minimal
Extremely High
Decision Size of Family
Early/Undecided
Often Already Decided

To Learn More Read → InheritedData in Detail





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